Funeral Directing - Glossary Flashcards
thank you cards
acknowledgement cards
an altar attendant
acolyte
a funeral rite that is adjusted to the needs and wants of those directly involved
adaptive funeral rite
those appropriate and helpful acts of counseling, personal and/or written contact that come after the funeral
aftercare
practical and ceremonial washing of a deceased Muslim
Al-Ghusl / Ghusl
the reduction of a dead human body to essential elements through a water-based dissolution process using alkaline chemicals, heat, agitation, and pressure to accelerate natural decomposition; the processing of the hydrolyzed remains after removal from the alkaline hydrolysis vessel; placement of the processed remains in a hydrolyzed container; and release of the hydrolyzed remains to an appropriate part; a form of final disposition
alkaline hydrolysis
in the Islam faith, the name for God
Allah
an elevated place or structure on which sacrifices are offered or at which religious rites are performed; in the Christian faith, a table on which the Eucharist or Holy Communion is offered
altar
an unfinished wood box or other non-metal receptacle or enclosure, without ornamentation or a fixed interior lining, which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is made of fiberboard, pressed-wood, composition materials (with or without an outside covering) or like materials
alternative container
certification/legalization of a document for international use (under terms of the 1961 Hague Convention)
apostille
in the Roman Catholic faith, the head of an archdiocese
archbishop
Hebrew meaning container; a casket made entirely of wood with no metal parts
aron
the meeting between the funeral practitioner and the client family during which funeral arrangements are discussed, and may refer to pre-need or at-need situations
arrangement conference
when a death has occurred
at need
leader of multiple churches in a particular denomination; in the Roman Catholic faith, the head of a diocese; in the Latter-day Saints faith, the leader of a single congregation
Bishop
the title of the Buddhist priest
Bonze
a term used in the Buddhist faith to describe a calendar that is used to determine an accurate time for casketing the deceased, services, and disposition
Book of Dates
in the Roman Catholic faith, a man who is a member of a religious order without being ordained
Brother
relating to a social or religious organization
brotherhood
the act of placing the dead human body in the ground
burial / interment
a legal document, issued by a governmental agency, authorizing transportation and/or disposition of a dead human body
burial-transit permit / disposition permit
time set aside for friends or relatives to pay respect for the deceased prior to the funeral service
calling hours / visitation / visiting hours
a religious singer who assists the clergy; one who assists the Rabbi in the Jewish faith; or one who assist the priest in the Eastern Orthodox faith
cantor
in the Roman Catholic faith, Bishops who have the right to participate in a Papal election
Cardinal
a rigid container which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is usually constructed of wood, metal, fiberglass, plastic, or like material, and ornamented and lined with fabric (FTC definition)
casket
one who actively bears or carries the casket during the funeral service and at the committal service
casket bearer / pall bearer
disease, injuries, or complications that resulted in death
cause of death
a person who designs and officiates a personalized ceremony or rite; the officiant who celebrates the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church
celebrant
an area of ground set aside and dedicated for the final disposition of dead human remains
cemetery
a portable shelter employed to cover the grave area during the committal
cemetery tent
a legal copy of the original death certificate
certified copy of a death certificate
the portion of the church surrounding the altar, usually enclosing the clergy; area behind the altar or communion rail
chancel
a building or designated area of a building in which services are conducted
chapel
a person chosen to conduct religious exercises for the military, an institution, or a fraternal organization
chaplain
Hebrew meaning “Holy Society”; a group of men or women who care for the dead; they may be referred to by laymen as the “washers”; in the past, they took care of all funeral arrangements and preparations for Jewish funerals
Chevrah Kadisha
a letter or form from a priest stating the eligibility of the deceased for burial in a Roman Catholic Cemetery
Christian Burial Certificate / Priest Lines
a structure, room, or space in a mausoleum or other building containing niches or recesses used to hold cremated remains
columbarium
that portion of the funeral conducted at the place of disposition of dead human bodies
committal service
any carrier required by law to convey passengers or freight without refusal if the approved fare or charge is paid (airline, train, etc.)
common carrier
usually an elected officer without medical training whose chief duty is to investigate questionable deaths
coroner
a portable stretcher commonly employed in a transfer vehicle for the moving of the deceased
cot
the result of the reduction of a dead body to inorganic bone fragments by intense heat
cremated remains
the reduction of a dead human body to inorganic bone fragments by intense heat in a specifically designed retort or chamber
cremation
a furnace or retort for cremating dead human bodies; a building that houses a retort
crematory
a Christian symbol without the corpus
cross
one who carries the crucifix/cross during an ecclesiastical procession
crucifer/crossbearer
a cross with a figure or image representing the body of Christ (Corpus)
crucifix
a chamber in a mausoleum, of sufficient size, generally used to contain the casketed remains of a deceased person
crypt
a subordinate officer in a Christian church
Deacon
a legal document containing vital statistics, disposition, and final medical information pertaining to the deceased
death certificate
a newspaper item publicizing the death of a person and giving service details; in some parts of the US, can contain the same information as an obituary
death notice
a dead human body
deceased
a federal agency that administers benefits provided for veterans of the armed forces
department of veteran affairs or VA
in the Roman Catholic faith, a geographical grouping of parishes under the jurisdiction of a Bishop
diocese
disposition of human remains by cremation, without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with the deceased present
direct cremation
any method of disposition of the human remains without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with the deceased present
direct disposition
procedures or invitation intended to facilitate an organized departure
dismissal
liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in Eastern Orthodox churches
divine liturgy
pertaining to the church or clergy
ecclesiastic
song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation for the dead
elegy
governing officer of a church, often having pastoral or teaching functions; specific duties dependent upon various denominations
elder
in the Jewish faith, a memorial service; literally “God full of compassion” ; usually the last prayer of the funeral service
El Malei Rachamin
the placing of remains in a crypt in a mausoleum
entombment
a commemorative inscription on a tomb or cemetery marker
epitaph
a leader(s) of the procession or guardian of the group, such as by military, police, etc.
escort
the consecrated elements of Holy Communion
Eucharist
layperson sanctioned to administer Holy Communion and other assigned tasks
eucharistic minister
an oration praising an individual, usually after death
eulogy
in the Roman Catholic faith, the ending portion of the Funeral Mass
Final Commendation
when the funeral establishment receives notification of death
first call
a private time for the family to view the deceased before public visitation begins
first viewing (preview)
one of the categories required to be itemized on the GPL (if the funeral provider offers the service); this involves services of the funeral provider in the locale where the death occurs and preparation for transfer to another funeral provider as selected by the family (consumer); funeral rule requires package pricing of this service with a description of the components included
forwarding remains
the entry way into a church, funeral establishment, or other public building; entrance hall
foyer / narthex / vestibule
relating to a social organization
fraternal
specialty vehicle designed to transfer casketed remains
funeral coach / hearse
the movement of vehicles from the place of the funeral to the place of disposition
funeral procession
any funeral event performed
funeral rites
the rites held at the time of disposition of human remains, with the deceased present
funeral service
the first two and last two verses of a Buddhist hymn sung at the funeral service
gatha
a printed list of goods and services offered for sale by funeral providers with retail prices; considered the keystone of the funeral rule
general price list (GPL)
the act of bending the right knee as an indication of reverence or as an act of humility
genuflect
gift or small sum of money tendered (tip) for a service provided
gratuity
an excavation in the earth as a placement for interment; interment space
grave
a ceremony or ritual, religious or otherwise, conducted at the grave
graveside service
webbing or similar material used for lowering the casket into the grave
grave straps
disposition without the use of toxic chemicals or materials that are not readily biodegradable
green burial
a plan of interment that bans the use of metal caskets, toxic embalming, and concrete vaults and may also require the use of aesthetically natural monuments
green cemetery
deathcare that minimizes the use of energy in service offerings/products and that bans the use of toxic/hazardous materials
green funeral
an agreement where the funeral establishment promises that the services and merchandise will be provided at the time of need for a sum not exceeding the original amount of the contract plus any accruals, regardless of the current prices associated with providing the services and merchandise at the time of the funeral
guaranteed contract
a eulogy or true evaluation of the deceased’s life that is part of a Jewish funeral service
hesped
water blessed by a priest
holy water
one that takes place within the residence of the deceased as was commonly done in the US until the mid-20th century
home funeral
compensation or recognition for services performed
honorarium
friends of the family or members of an organization or group who act as an escort or honor guard for the deceased; they do not carry the casket
honorary casket bearers / honorary pall bearers
a funeral rite that is in essence devoid of religious connotation
humanist funeral
in the Eastern Orthodox faith, a holy picture; usually mosaic or painted on wood
icon
the partition that extends across the front of an Eastern Orthodox Church separating the sanctuary from the solea
iconostasis / iconostasi / iconostation
in the Islam faith, the leader of the local congregation
imam
disposition of human remains by burial, without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with the deceased present, except for a graveside service
immediate burial
one who supplies vital statistics information about the deceased
informant
to bury in the ground
inter
placing cremated remains in an urn or placing cremated remains in a niche or grave
inurnment
an agreement for future funeral services which cannot be terminated or canceled prior to the death of the beneficiary
irrevocable contract
the religion of Muslims (Moslems) that began at the time of Mohammed; Muslims believe that it stands for purity, peace, submission to Allah’s will, and obedience to his laws
Islam
in the Islam faith the funeral or funeral prayer
Jinazah
in the jewish faith, a prayer recited for the deceased by the direct mourners (parents, siblings, spouse, and children) for the first time at the conclusion of the interment service; it is subsequently recited by children for parents at every service for eleven months and on yahrzeits; all other categories of mourners have the obligation to say the _____ for 30 days
kaddish
burial garments utilized by Muslims
kafan
one’s blood relatives (legally, the surviving spouse is not _____)
kin
the worship facility for Jehovah’s Witnesses
Kingdom Hall
in the Jewish faith, the skull cap worn by males at temple and funeral services
kipper / yamaka / yarmulke
a small bench placed in front of the casket or urn to allow a person to kneel for prayer
kneeler / prayer rail / priest dieu
the holy book of the Islamic faith as revealed to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel
Koran / Quran
Hebrew term meaning rending or tearing; a symbol of grief; a tear in the upper corner of the garment or a tear on a symbolic ribbon which is worn by the survivors
kriah
physical contact with the deceased and the icon during the final pass by the casket
last kiss
in the Jewish faith, the funeral procession
levaya
a prescribed order or form of worship specific to a particular denomination which will have the Eucharist or Holy Communion as its central element
liturgical (eucharist centered) worship
a subdivision in a cemetery which consists of several graves or interment spaces
lot
a mechanical device used to lower a casket into the ground
lowering device
traditionally, in the Buddhist faith, a bedside prayer which may now be performed by the bonze just before funeral arrangements are made
makura-gyo
the mode of death, such as accident, homicide, natural, suicide, or unknown
manner of death
local Islamic religious facility containing no icons, statues, symbols, pews, chairs, or musical instruments
masjid / mosque
the liturgical celebration of the eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church
mass
of the written request for amass for a specific intention
mass card
a building containing crypts or vaults for entombment
mausoleum
the holiest city in the Islamic faith; Muslims are buried facing this city
Mecca
a forensically-trained physician who investigates questionable or unattended deaths (has replaced the coroner in some jurisdictions)
medical examiner
a book signed by those attending a visitation or service
memorial book / register book
a pamphlet made available at the funeral service giving details about the deceased and the funeral arrangements
memorial folder / service folder
a scheduled assembly of family and friends following a death without the deceased present
memorial gathering
a cemetery, or section of a cemetery, with only flush to the ground type markers
memorial park
funeral rites without the remains present
memorial service
in the Jewish faith, a candelabrum with a central stem bearing seven candles; the oldest symbol in Judaism
menorah
military personnel assigned to accompany remains following an active duty death
military escort
in the Jewish faith, a hexagram formed by the combination of two triangles; symbolizes a new hope for the Jewish people
mogen david / star of david / jewish star
a prophet of the Islamic religion born in 571 CE; considered by Muslims to be God’s messenger but he is not worshipped or considered divine
Mohammed / Muhammad
an honorary title conferred upon a Roman Catholic priest
monsignor
the name given to a member of the Islamic faith
Moslem / Muslim
a cemetery created and maintained under an act of Congress for burial of veterans of military service and their eligible family members
national cemetery
the seating or auditorium section of a church
nave
a recess or space in a columbarium used for the permanent placing of cremated remains
niche
the Buddhist idea of heavenly peace or Pure Land
nirvhana
agreement in which the funeral establishment promises to apply the amount pre-paid plus any accruals to the balance due; however, the cost of the funeral will be based upon the current price for services and merchandise at the time death occurs
non-guaranteed contract
a form or order of worship which has the scriptures as its central element; the actual form or order of the worship service is left to the discretion of each individual church and/or minister
non-liturgical (scripture centered) worship
in the Roman Catholic faith, a woman who is a member of a religious order, especially one bound by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
nun / sister
traditionally, a news item concerning the death of a person which usually contains a biographical sketch; can appear in media other than newspapers such as online sources and service programs
obituary
one who conducts or leads a service or ceremony
officiant
any container designed for placement in the grave around the casket including containers commonly known as burial vaults, grave boxes, and grave liners
outer burial container
the Buddhist place of worship
pagoda
a symbolic loth placed over the casket
pall
a rubric for the Eastern Orthodox funeral service
panchida
the watch or all-night vigil over the deceased in the Eastern Orthodox community
parastas / parastasis
in the Roman Catholic faith, a candle placed near the casket during the funeral mass that signifies the everlasting light of Christ
paschal candle
one having spiritual care over a number of people
pastor
an arrangement made by the cemetery whereby funds are set aside, the income from which is used to maintain the cemetery indefinitely
perpetual care
the head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome
Pope
a card with the name of the decedent and a prayer or verse, which may or may not include the dates of birth and death
prayer card
funeral arrangements made in advance of need that include provisions for funding or prepayment
pre-funded funeral arrangements
funeral arrangements made in advance of need that do not include provisions for funding or prepayment
pre-planned funeral arrangements
a title conferred to clergy upon ordination in various religions
priest
those who transport only in particular instances and only for those they chose to contract with (e.g. funeral establishment vehicles and livery)
private carrier
the movement, in an orderly fashion, at the beginning of a service
procession / processional
a teacher or ordained leader in the Jewish faith
Rabbi
in the Church of Christ, Scientist, one authorized to read the lessons and scriptures
reader
one of the categories required to be itemized on the GPL (if the funeral provider offers the service); this involves services of the funeral provider after initial services have been provided by another firm at the locale of death; funeral rule requires package pricing of this service with a description of the components included
receiving remains
a structure designed for the temporary storage of bodies not to be immediately interred
receiving vault
the movement, in an orderly fashion, at the end of a service
recession / recessional
the burning chamber in a crematory, also referred to as the cremator; the total mechanical unit for the cremation process
retort
agreement which may be terminated by the purchaser at any time prior to the death of the beneficiary with a refund of monies paid on the contact as prescribed by state law
revocable contract
a chain of adjoining beads and a crucifix used as an aid in the recitation of prayers
rosary beads
a series of prayers in the Roman Catholic faith
rosary prayers
a service at which rosary prayers are recited
rosary service
doors in the center of the iconostasis leading directly to the altar; only ordained clergy go through these doors; never cross on the soles in front of these doors
royal doors
in liturgical churches, stated directions in a prayer book or liturgical manual regarding the order of service as approved by the denomination
rubrics
in the Roman Catholic faith, a sacrament given to those seriously ill or in danger of death to prepare their souls for eternity
sacrament of the sick
the part of the church surrounding the altar, inside the chancel
sanctuary
in the Roman Catholic faith, a piece of cloth or medal having religious significance usually worn around the neck
scapular
the largest subdivision of a cemetery
section
in the Buddhist faith, a service performed as a part of casketing the deceased
service of encasketing
one who is in charge of the cemetery; the caretaker of a church
sexton
the jewish Sabbath; begins at sundown Friday and ends at sundown Saturday
Shabbat
in the Jewish faith, a seven day mourning period
shivah
meaning 30 in the Jewish faith; the 30-day mourning period
sholoshim
in the Jewish faith, a watcher; one who sits with the deceased reading Psalms until burial
shomer
a cloth or garment in which a dead person is wrapped or dressed for burial
shroud
a symbolic sign of the cross, made with the right hand
sign of the cross
a branch of the US Department of Health and Human Services which provides benefits for retirement, survivors, and disability, and includes Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicare
Social Security Administration
in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the open area (sometimes raised) before the altar
solea
one who outlives another person or event
survivor(s)
a place of religious worship in the Jewish faith
synagogue / temple / shul
a hand-sewn white linen shroud in which the deceased members of the Jewish faith are dressed
tachrichim
in the Jewish faith, the ceremonial washing of the deceased before the burial; a ritual purification or cleansing of the deceased which should be performed by the Chevra Kaddisha
taharah
a prayer shawl worn by Jewish males during the morning prayer service
tallith
in the Jewish faith, prayers said before the funeral by a group of friends and the shower; these prayers come from the book of Psalms
tehillim
garments worn by endowed members of the Latter-day Saints at the Temple and for burial
temple clothing
ceremonial instructions of the Latter-day Saints Church, given only within a temple to worthy members of the sect
temple ordinances
a receptacle for cremated remains, usually made of cardboard, plastic, or similar materials designed to hold cremated remains until an urn, other permanent container is acquired, or other disposition is made
temporary container
agreements which involve the funeral practitioner/funeral establishment because the family being served has contracted with someone else for services or merchandise also available from the funeral establishment (i.e. caskets, vaults, urns, pre-need insurance, etc.)
third party contracts
a general term designating those places suitable for the reception of a dead human body
tomb
wings of the main part of the church which may serve as small chapels for baptism, weddings, and even small funeral services
transepts
see the moving of the dead human body from the place of death to the funeral establishment or other designated place
transfer of remains
the automobile generally used for transporting the uncasketed dead human body from the place of death to the mortuary
transfer vehicle
in the Eastern Orthodox faith, three short services or blessings that are part of the funeral rite
trisagion
account established by one individual to be held for the benefit of another (as a method of payment of funeral expenses); creates a fiduciary responsibility; money paid to a funeral establishment for future services is placed in an account with the funeral establishment as trustee for the benefit of another
trust account
permanent container for cremated remains meant for decorative or inurnment purposes
urn
ritual garments worn by the clergy
vestments
a prayer or scripture service usually held at the funeral establishment the evening before the funeral
vigil / wake
in the Roman Catholic faith, set of two candles that may be placed, one at the head and one at the foot of the casket, during the visitation period
vigil lights
data concerning birth, marriage, divorce, sickness, and death
vital statistics
historically, a watch kept over the deceased; an all-night vigil
wake
group of Latter-day Saints members sharing a familial, linguistic, or cultural characteristics
ward
a brief expression of gratitude to the congregation for their presence at the Buddhist service
words of appreciation
in the Jewish faith, the anniversary of the death
yahrzeit
in the Jewish faith, a memorial service recited four times a year
yizkor
